Miss A Columnist

I am a WHO DAT LOUISIANA transplant dwelling in the Big D and I can be described as a vogue-a-holic by default, a socialite by nature, and a shoe-preneur by trade. I delight in the unexpected, have a tongue in cheek approach to tradition, never wear just anything, miscellaneous is my favorite category, and lastly – am spoiled by all things fabulous and swanky. I absolutely love the Big D because there is always a wide array of people, places, and things to experience.

Miss A has a presence in 21 U.S. markets, and is the first and leading media outlet covering the intersection of charity and life. With a team of 30 editors and hundreds of writers, we write about charity meeting a part of life – fashion, beauty, sports & fitness, home, food, kids, men, entertainment, business, technology, travel, and education. We shine a spotlight on the best nonprofits, cause marketing products and services, corporate philanthropy and philanthropic people to inspire others to give as they live. Since so much of the Arts are supported by philanthropy, we love covering the arts – performing arts, music, dance, theatre and film.

Founded in 2008 by Andrea Rodgers who has a strong philanthropic track record of her own in Washington, DC, Miss A believes in the positive power of volunteering and charity — not only to benefit those less fortunate, but to improve the individual, business or brand that gives their time, talent and treasure to a cause. Our mission is to shine a spotlight on the best charity events, cause marketing campaigns, philanthropic people, businesses and brands to inspire others to get involved.

With this said, if you have an event you would love for me to cover on Miss A, please contact me at pamreneepr@yahoo.com.

A New Look For Your Holiday Table

Have you started decorating for the holidays yet? I usually get out my Christmas decorations the first weekend in December and begin to start gathering ideas for my table theme. One of the best parts about celebrating the holiday is gathering with friends and family around the table for dinner. Holiday meals are special because they are often one of the few times everyone is home and together again.

No matter what you and your loved ones celebrate this season — Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, or simply family togetherness — I know many of you are probably starting to think about your holiday table this week. Table settings are one of my favorite things to decorate during the holidays. I absolutely love to dazzle my dinner guests with the unexpected, plus I appreciate a thoughtful and creative holiday table.

In my family we celebrate Christmas, Creole style, that includes a Mardi Gras themed Christmas tree adorned with sequin, porcelain, and feathered masks, beads galore, along with numerous Louisiana themed hanging ornaments, topped with a gigantic purple and gold decorative mesh bow. This year, I am adding a smaller New Orleans Saints themed Christmas tree, with the hope that my guests who are die-hard Dallas Cowboys fans, won’t conspire and toss it into the fireplace.

Christmas morning at my house always kicks off with beignets and chickory, and around 2 p.m dinner guests begin to arrive. I serve an exclusive savory creole fare — seafood gumbo, shrimp etouffee, chicken and tasso jambalaya, red beans and rice, Andouille sausage cornbread dressing, and the traditional Cajun fried turkey, with a massive dessert table full of calories and lots of guilt.

Celebrate this season with the bold, the unique, and the personal. Grab a bit of inspiration from the stylish looks created here, guaranteed to get your creative juices flowing. While you may have been warned on other adventures to “don’t try this at home” — now you can.